Pakistan Sectarian violence leaves 82 dead
Pakistani authorities secured a seven-day ceasefire after sectarian violence in Kurram district killed 82 people and injured 156. The fighting, which erupted Thursday, saw gunmen attack Shia Muslim convoys under police escort, leaving over 40 dead. The attacks triggered retaliatory violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims, rooted in longstanding land disputes.
On Sunday, government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif announced the agreement, reached after talks with both sides. Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. A local official reported 16 Sunni and 66 Shia fatalities, with women and children among the dead. Survivors shared harrowing accounts, like Saeeda Bano, who hid under car seats with her children during the convoy ambush.
As violence escalated on Friday and Saturday, hundreds of residents fled the region. A Sunni villager described sending his family to the mountains for safety, adding, “We’ve heard gunfire all night. The cold is unbearable, but we have no choice.”
Negotiators, including provincial officials, faced risks during talks. A helicopter carrying officials came under fire upon arrival, highlighting the fragile situation. Despite recent violence, tribal councils and leaders have called for peace to prevent further bloodshed.
The region near the Afghan border has seen repeated sectarian clashes. Past months witnessed dozens of fatalities, intensifying demands for action. While the ceasefire offers temporary relief, lasting peace depends on addressing underlying rivalries and land disputes.
